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Correlation of Chest Film and Lung Function Analysis in Patients with Silicosis.

A study was made of a sizable patient collective with mixed dust silicosis for reasons of correlation and, in the process applied the new precise International Labor Office classification of 1980 in its expanded version. The attempt was also made to draw up a sum index which will register the crucial parameters of the chest X-ray, in order to establish the relation to the pulmonary function. The material consisted of 283 miners. Severe silicosis with small rounded opacities having a category of profusion of 2/3 to 3/3 as well as large opacities of type-B and type-C occurred significantly more along with an increase of resistance. The number of lesions and the size of small rounded opacities and their distribution over the six pulmonary fields had no influence on this functional parameter. The size of large opacities and their number as well as the size of the formation of small rounded nodes significantly correlated with the vital capacity and vice versa. An evaluation of the intrathoracal gas volume (ITGV) on the basis of radiologically comprehensible parameters was only possible in modestly severe and severe augmentations of the ITGV. A correlation between X-rays and blood gas analysis existed only if several large opacities were apparent in both lungs and this held true for hypercapnia as well as for a diminution in oxygen pressure. By establishing a score, a statistically significant correlation was observed to resistance and vital capacity in the total collective. The authors state that in the isolated case the evaluation of the pulmonary function by means of radiological parameters is not reliable enough, thus making the use of such a score when applied to expert interrogations not sufficiently adequate.